Saturday, March 2, 2013

Hope and Wonder


Does it seem like everyone's tired?  Tired of politics, and wars, and the fakey sequester game, and traffic, and going to crummy places like Target to buy things we we wish we didn't want or need.  We're tired of having no time, and too much e-mail, and too many obligations and we're tired of the corporate bureaucratic hassles.  We're tired of memorizing PIN numbers and passwords, we're tired of advertising plastered everywhere, we're tired of all the papers that come into our homes. They creep in through the mailbox and our kids backpacks and our bags and other places too.  Everywhere you go, people want to give you papers.  Our houses are filled with these papers that we think we'll deal with sometime.  Because it might be important.  I want to throw every single paper in my house out, just to see what happens.  And I'm personally tired of the weird deadlines that I didn't sign up for, like taxes and car tabs and garbage day.  Oh, and this week I was tired of hearing about the pope.

But besides being tired, we're  hopeful.  We're a hopeful people.  We keep getting up and caring about each other and the planet one more day.  And this is almost ridiculous.  But it's all we've got, this hope and wonder and caring, and it propels us forward towards the next thing, towards the next moment when we'll exhale and just think, damn, there are some lovely humans on the planet.

Speaking of lovely humans, I'm currently on a weird writing field trip to a semi-horrible place that's like one giant strip mall plopped down on what used to be an estuary.  It was undoubtedly a gorgeous spot at one time, the kind of sacred place where saltwater meets old growth forest, but now it's more like salt water meets Staples and Old Navy and Costco.  But anyway, that's not the point.

The point is that I was a bit horrified by it here, because I feel like I should get in the car to cross the street since it's just so big and pavement-y.  In fact, it seems like I should wear a car like clothing.  It's awkward to go outside without a car.  Inappropriate.

But I found a tiny yoga studio, and there were my people, doing downward dog, and exhaling, and being kind.  I took a class, and at the end, I didn't act on this impulse, but I wanted to ask the people in the class what they're going to do today, and see if I could tag along like a stray dog.  I think I should get points for not acting on that, right?  Oh, and then minus points because I got a little choked up when we were saying goodbye.  Really?  Is that how I am?  Sheesh.

I talked to my sister today and she said we should think about "appreciatives" but by mistake, she said it in an odd way, as if she had an Italian accent.  And as if it's even a word.  She meant things we're grateful for, but I liked to imagine us in Italy, sitting down with a glass of chianti and sharing appreciatives.  I'd say how grateful I am to have her for a sister.  Oh, I get a little weepy thinking about that too.  (Weepy, as you know, elevates the whole thing to a spiritual plain.  It makes it into an experience, unlike the criers, who are just weak.)

But anyway, back to the wonder part.  I'm sort of wondering how your science fair projects are coming.  I haven't started mine yet. Speaking of weird deadlines that you didn't sign up for, how about if everyone picks their project by March 15?  The Ides of March?  Does that give you enough time?  I am so excited about this, by the way.  You wouldn't believe it.


20 comments:

  1. Yikes! It appears Teach is serious about this. Can I change my project? I don't have time to nap, as much as I wish I did. I'm thinking the getting rid of unwanted hair would be better. I'm not good at electrical stuff, but that's where I'm going to start. I'm going to re-wire an old lamp so it will do electrolysis. By golly, I can't wait either!

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    1. Jennio, this is an EXCELLENT idea. I think you might want to get some *subjects* though, before you practice on your own unwanted hair. Be sure to record all of your data. And maybe up your liability insurance too.

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  2. There is so much for me to overcome (no pun intended) on my suggested topic for a science fair that it would take me until the Ides of March 2040 to begin.
    I'm sorry.
    I'm tired. And all I seem to be able to do is nap. And weep. Well, mostly I cry.
    I'm sorry, Betsy. And you're my favorite teacher, too.

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    1. Oh, overcoming might be just the thing! I'd be interested. Oh, wait, did I say that out loud?

      You should definitely call it weeping. It will make it all seem so much better, like you're on a spiritual path, not just sad and tired.

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  3. Here is my take away. What did you get at Targett?

    The rest of the post was just sorta "blah blah blah" to me. As you know it could have been "yada yada yada" which is, as you know, that absolute worst.

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    1. As you know, I repeated "as you know " in my previous comment.

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    2. As you know, E-bro, I can't go to Target since the Great Meltdown of 2003. It's out of my scope of work.

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  4. I'll have to alter mine because I have no lettuce and no possibilities for lettuce placement and I lack any appreciable quantities of your urine with which to experiment. In slightly related but only because it's urine news, I went to the beach the other evening to the spot where I habitually re-perpendiculate a tidally challenged yule looking driftpiece of treewood and upon peeing saw an amazing light show as if sparks were flying near my feet. Apparently there are lil beasties called dinoflagellates which can accumulate in the sand and respond to various stimuli. As I stepped back a blue-green halo surrounded my shoe and experimenting I found that each subsequent step recreated this affect (note: did not pee on shoes(or step in peed sand)). Stompier steps created brighter rings and I felt a bit like I was in the Billie Jean video.
    ANYWAY...I feel compelled to change my project to something Shakespearian, what with the Marchurial Ides and my recent discovery the the Gilligan's Island musical of Hamlet including:
    Neither a borrower
    Nor a lender be
    Do not forget
    Stay out of debt
    :was not exactly straight dialogue from the play. I will ponder my options and report back with a prospectus. I was considering evaluating the affect of gamma rays on man in the moon marigolds, but someone beat me to that particular dandelion wine punch.
    p.s. Read Ecotopia if you've not as I am.
    p.s.s. Will ten years of autodidacting astrology followed by a twenty year lapse of study affect my grade?
    p.s.s.s. My suggestion to perform John Cage's 4'33" to a Unitarian Music Director led to schism with Choir Director spouse over whether they should explain Cage's intent or not prior to performance. Could you please weigh in?

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    1. So much to respond to here, SR. Firstly, I don't know if you are aware, but I also run a scientific supply company. You could place an order for urine or any other items, like post-it-notes or Erlenmyer flasks.

      I anxiously await your final prospectus.

      P.S. I read Ecotopia in the 1980's. Is it time to re-read?

      P. S. S. I think you're on track to receive a perfectly appropriate grade for your efforts. High participation in the classroom, which I hope will be followed by a thoughtful science project.

      I think I'll stay out of the spousal dispute, but I'm not a big fan of the 4'33" myself. Too much costumery, not enough notes. We're not about that.

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  5. I think I'll do a study on the importance of afternoon naps and whether or not they can be replaced by a morning or evening nap and what would happen if you slept all day AND all night AND ate chocolate every time you woke up. Perhaps I'll discover a previosly unknown ability to eat chocolate while asleep or to fall asleep while eating chocolate.

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    1. Perfect. I can hardly wait to see what you learn.

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  6. I am smiling ear to ear reading the proposals. I would not have believed there are real science fairs, like my childhood science fairs. I just finished taking my granddaughter to and from meetings with advisors and so on and so forth,for her high school's STEM fair. All very well and good except 1)it was required; 2) she had to pick from a list of projects, all of which were well documented on the internet. As in, what was the point. So, this is wonderful fun. Again. Like fifty five years ago.

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    1. Joanne, thanks for reading! I can hardly wait to see your project. ANYTHING is possible.

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  7. I'm so glad to have a deadline of March 15th to pay a visit to the medical marijuana doctor on Melrose. Or do I just need to write my hypothesis by the 15th?

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    1. You just need your experiment design by the 15th. Plenty of time. But it might be nice to visit Melrose to get some ideas if you have time. . .

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  8. Ok, so with your suggestion of placenta now firmly in my face (as it were), I thought about all the birth fluids; pee, poo ( well, that's a solid unless there was a castor oil induction), vomit, mucous and blood. Where to begin! The March deadline makes me hyperventilate but I'll do my best.

    I unfortunately have devolved into 'art project' much like Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ". I mean, think of the objects I could submerge in amniotic fluid-I Like Ike buttons, giant tapioca, piles of cat hairs...? What if I mixed everything together and painted the bathroom door? There are blessedly, public spaces where I could exhibit placenta prints.

    I know! I could study audience reaction!!! Interviews with the common man, whatever that is. Have I veered into psychology? Theology? Scientology? Is this suitable for a Science Fair?

    I fear I've lost my way.

    Rats.

    ~Beth

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    1. No no! You have not lost your way, you're conducting RESEARCH. Important research. I think you're definitely on the right track.

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  9. Well it's not sexy, but I was thinking as I cleaned the fridge yesterday why the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and pizza sauce leftovers got slimy at varying rates. Is it a pH differential or an unfortunate contamination or introduction of bacteria? Better yet, a study of why, why, why I save the leftovers in the first place might be in order. More psychology than science I'm afraid. But the urge to delay throwing out leftover food that I won't use and hope, incorrectly, to reuse at a later date, that always ends up being much too much later than is safe - these are questions that pique my curiosity. Thank goodness I have another week to figure it out.

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    1. Who says moldy tomatoes aren't sexy? I tend to disagree. I think this will be not only interesting, but will help the other humans. Psychology is just as important as anything.

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